Maryland’s mental health treatment wait list shortened

State health officials have significantly reduced a backlog of patients waiting for beds in mental health hospitals.

A dozen people now sit in jail waiting for a spot — down from 85 a few months ago, the state's health secretary told lawmakers on Tuesday.

The state-run psychiatric hospitals have released dozens of patients who were ready to be discharged to make room for court-ordered patients. And they're planning to add a few more spaces for patients by shuffling money and resources, said Secretary Van T. Mitchell during a briefing before members of four legislative committees.